Wear Your Pajamas for Polar Express Day tomorrow!It’s time to get cozy for Polar Express Day!Late breaking update on Polar Express Day: Students (and teachers) are invited to wear your pajamas & bring your favorite (small) stuffed animal to school tomorrow! That’s right. The whole school can wear their PJ’s to celebrate this special last day before the holiday break begins.

All students will get a chance to watch the classic holiday film with their class. And the PTO will be serving Swiss Miss hot cocoa and Oreo cookies to every classroom. If your child has allergy concerns, please consider sending in another snack option for your child.

Take a break over the break – go rollerskatingHead to Skate Zone with family and friends during the holiday break and students can use the special coupon attached to this e-mail for free admission. There’s another coupon to use for their special New Year’s Eve Skate and you can get a free glow stick. Skate Zone is located at 1082 Rte. 3 South in Crofton.

Did you check the Lost & Found yet?Just a final reminder that everyone should check over the fairly large selection of items in the Lost & Found at DES. Items will be donated very soon, so if your student is missing something, please try to come look for it. Items are on display in the main hallway, stop in the office first to check in. If you cannot make it to the school, send a note with your student describing what they have lost and maybe they can take a look with some help. Any questions? Call the front office at 410-222-1655.

Happy Holidays to the entire
Davidsonville Elementary School Family!We’ll see you back on Jan. 2nd.

Here’s the News:

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…Holiday Shoppe really is here Monday!Come out Monday night at DES, from 6-8 pm, for the rescheduled evening of Holiday Shoppe. Bring their shopping lists and some cash, and let the children shop while you mingle and take a look around. Our helpful elves will shop with the kids and all gifts come already wrapped to put under the tree. There is often a line, so get there on time if you can. Grab the family pizza for dinner at the event, then stop at the Bake Sale for goodies. It’s always a good time at the Holiday Shoppe, so please come out and join the fun! Elves & helpers should arrive by 5:30 pm.

Save the Date for February 10thTicket Sales start now for the Gator Gamble!You can now buy your tickets for the biggest event of the year, the Gator Gamble! The Gamble, set for Saturday, February 10th, is all new this year with live music by “The Reagan Years,” and is being held at a new venue. Enjoy the best silent and live auctions to support the school, food, drinks, and a whole lot of fun for adults only! Great deals and special memories can be found at the DES PTO’s premiere fundraiser. We have a limited time offer for discounted hotel rooms, so check the order form for details. You’ll be hearing more about the Gator Gamble after the holiday break, but you can order your tickets today for this totally awesome night out!See the Gator Gamble 2017 flier here

Polar Express Day is FridayFriday will see the return of the Annual Polar Express Day at DES. Students will get a chance to watch the classic holiday film with their class. And the PTO will be serving Swiss Miss hot cocoa and Oreo cookies to every classroom. If your child has allergy concerns, please consider sending in another snack option for your child on Friday.

Lost & Found at DES – final chanceItems that have been found at the school have been on display on tables in the hallway for students to look over. Parents are encouraged to come look for any items they might have noticed missing prior to the holiday break as all that remains will soon be donated to make space. A visit to the Holiday Shoppe on Monday night might be a great chance to look through what we have, or plan to come sometime during the week.

Last call for Gift Card orders is Monday morning at 9 amThe snow last Friday caused a bit of trouble for our Gator Green Gift Card sales. We will now be making our final orders on Monday morning, so if you need a gift card, let us know by then. E-mail Christina Feindt at: cfeindt@gmail.com by 9 a.m. at the very latest. There will also be a limited selection of in-stock gift cards for sale at Holiday Shoppe.

Reminder: Last week for Winterwear & Toy CollectionsThere are collection bins in the front hallway for these great causes hosted by DES and we need your help with both. The coats, gloves and hats campaign runs thru Dec. 20th, so bring in your gently used or new items soon. We are also collecting new toys to donate for the holidays. This effort ends on Dec. 20th. Thank you.

Anyone have an extra refrigerator?The staff refrigerator needs to be replaced. We thought we’d reach out to the DES community to see if anyone might have one they are willing to donate to the cause. If you can help, contact Liz Lewnes in the front office at: elewnes@aacps.org. Thank you.

In Recognition:Volunteer of the Month for November Melissa AllenMelissa Allen has been chosen the “DES Volunteer of the Month” for November. Melissa is the chair for the Art Helpers Committee and the Square 1 Art Committee. She also Co-chairs the Book Fair Committee. Additionally, Melissa helps with the Teacher Luncheon Committee, Box Tops, Holiday Shoppe, Gator Gamble, and the Book It program. She is also the room parent for Ms. Zacks.

Melissa is a stay at home mom and an “unpaid Uber driver” for her 2 kids, Jeremy (middle school) and Travis (4th grade). Melissa aspires to be a full-time artist when she grows up! Thanks Melissa for all that you do for the students at DES!!!

Public Service Announcements:

“Books for Bill” Winter Reading programNavy Athletics would like to invite students to participate in the 2nd Annual Books for Bill Winter Reading Program! We encourage students to continue reading over the winter and all participating students to come out and join us for a Navy Men’s or Women’s Basketball game this winter at Alumni Hall . Attached is the information to participate in the Books for Bill Winter Reading Program, as well as the reading log page. For any questions or additional information, please contact Jordan Albright at 410-293-8791 or albright@usna.edu. See the Books For Bill flier hereSee the Books for Bill Reading Log here

A Look Ahead:Friday, Dec. 22: Polar Express Day at DESMonday, Dec. 25-Monday, Jan. 1: NO SCHOOL, holiday break. School is back Jan. 2

Here’s the News:

Student concerts this week
Music performances will take place this week at DES. Strings students will perform on Monday night at 6:30 pm, they will also be holding a concert at school during the day for students. Band and Chorus students will have a concert on Thursday evening at school, starting at 6:30 pm. There will also be a performance at school that day. If you are coming to the evening concerts, please plan to have your students there early to prepare, and expect some crowded parking areas.

It’s Holiday Shoppe time Friday at DES
Everyone should come out to the Annual Holiday Shoppe this Friday, December 15th from 6-8 pm at DES. This is a really fun night for the kids. Bring them with some dollars and a shopping list for their family members… they get to shop and pick out their own wrapped presents. Pizza, drinks, and snacks can be purchased and there is also a bake sale. Independent businesses will also be on hand selling a variety of items.

If you are a Safety Patrol willing to help us an elf for the evening, let us know. To sign up your student, contact Carrie Groff at: cagroff@comcast.net and plan to arrive by 5:30.

Calling All Bakers — We Still Need You!
The PTO is looking for anyone willing to help bake delicious treats for the upcoming Holiday Shoppe event and the awesome Bake Sale held there each year. The event is on Friday, Dec. 15th at DES, from 6-8 pm. Every item helps. If you can offer your assistance, contact Stacy at stacylynnterry@yahoo.com. The event will also have vendor tables for any direct sales representatives interested, send us an e-mail. We hope to see ALL of you at the fantastic Holiday Shoppe!

Buy Gift Cards for all of your holiday gifts & shopping
If you need to buy a gift card for any reason this holiday – we have you covered. Maybe you give gift cards to your employees, or you want to slip an iTunes gift card in a stocking. The Gator Green Scrip Gift Card program at DES has cards for 100’s of stores, restaurants, and businesses, and all are worth exactly what you pay for them. This is an easy way to get your shopping done AND raise funds. See the order form attached for just some of the cards available (you can visit www.shopwithscrip.com to find a list of them all-under retailers). Fill out the order form and submit with payment (to DES PTO) in an envelope marked “Gator Green.” All orders for holiday delivery must be in by Friday, Dec. 15th. For questions, contact cfeindt@gmail.com.See Order Form attached

Last Chance: Holiday Cooking Classes start Thursday
The Winter session of the Deliciously Nutritious Cooking Club will begin on Dec. 14th. Held on Thursdays after school, this 8 week session will teach your child about healthy eating and cooking. Price is $150. If you want to register your student, send in the form in an envelope marked for Cooking Class. If you have any questions, contact Melissa Sherwood at: delishdish4@yahoo.com.See flier online

Reminder: Did you order the yearbook yet?
One more reminder to order the DES Yearbook for this school year. The cost is $18 for a non-personalized book. There are extra items available. Go ahead and get it done today! Ordering is online at: http://www.yearbookforever.com. All of the directions are included on the flier. For any questions, contact Steph Brooks at: tobgr8ful@gmail.com.See flier online

Don’t forget the Winterwear & Toy Collections
There are collection bins in the front hallway for these great causes hosted by DES and we need your help with both. The coats, gloves and hats campaign runs thru Dec. 20th, so bring in your gently used or new items soon. We are also collecting new toys to donate for the holidays. This effort ends on Dec. 20th. Thank you.

Here’s the News:

Picture Retakes TuesdayFor Picture Retake Day on Tuesday, December 5th, parents can send their children’s existing pictures in if they would like to get the picture retaken on that day. Also, there are extra picture order envelopes in the office for any student who did not get their picture taken in Oct. and still need one. You can send a note along with your student requesting one be sent home Monday, or come by the office to pick one up. For more info., contact the DES School Office at 410-222-1655.

Special Education Committee meets WednesdayThe DES SPED Committee is hosting an informal get-to-know you at the Panera Bread in Edgewater on Wednesday, December 6th at 6:30 pm. Please come out and connect with other parents of children with special learning needs! All are welcome!

Holiday Shoppe is next week!Everyone should come out to the super fun Annual Holiday Shoppe next Friday, December 15th from 6-8 pm at DES. This is a really great night for the kids. Send them with some dollars (everything is priced from $1-$6) and a shopping list for their family members… they get to shop and pick out their own wrapped presents. Pizza, drinks, and snacks can be purchased and there is also a bake sale. Independent businesses will also be on hand selling a variety of items. 5th Grade Safety Patrols who would like to assist with the Holiday Shoppe as “elves” should contact Carrie Groff at: cagroff@comcast.net and plan to arrive by 5:30

Book It ProgramRemember to turn in completed November Book It calendars this week! In case you misplaced your copy, the November calendar is attached. The December Book It calendar is also attached for you to print at home and have your child log his or her reading in December. Children that participate in the Book It program every month will be invited to a Kona Ice party at the end of the school year.See the November Book It Calendar hereSee the December Book It Calendar here

Reminder: It’s time for Cooking ClassesThe Winter session of the Deliciously Nutritious Cooking Club will begin on Dec. 14th. Held on Thursdays after school, this 8 week session will teach your child all about healthy eating, cooking, and much more. Price is $150. If you want to register your student, send in the registration form in an envelope marked for Cooking Class. If you have any questions, contact Melissa Sherwood at: delishdish4@yahoo.com.See the 2017 Holiday Cooking Class flier here

In Recognition: Volunteer of the Month for OctoberCathy ManofskyCathy Manofsky was chosen “Volunteer of the Month” for October. Cathy serves on the PTO Executive Board as the Assistant Treasurer. She is also the Chairperson for “Book It” as well as volunteering on the Gator Gamble Committee and Holiday Shoppe. Cathy has also taken the lead on updating the DES PTO Facebook page. In the past, Cathy has volunteered for the Teacher Luncheon, Hospitality Committee, and Teacher’s Elves.

Cathy and her husband Matt have 4 children. Sophia is in 3rd grade, Emily and Grace are in 1st grade, and baby Luke is 4 months old! Cathy is a lawyer at Kramon & Graham, P.A. Thank you Cathy for all that you do for the students and staff at DES!!! We appreciate you!

Martial Arts returns next year for Grades 3-5DES and East Coast Martial Arts are teaming up again for the 2018 Martial Arts Enrichment program! ECMA will offer 6 introductory classes at DES for students in grades 3 – 5, after school in late Jan./early Feb. for only $40. All profits will be donated to the DES PTO. Kids will learn the basics of martial arts and self defense and get to test for their white belt at the end of the program, followed by a party at ECMA Edgewater. Times and dates will be released after holiday break.

This is a great way to start your children in a martial arts program without a long term commitment! Kids with experience are also welcome! Children will be receiving registration papers and waivers in their gym classes in mid-January or you can contact the Program Chair for forms. Feel free to sign up now! Send in your registration forms and payment in an envelope marked “Martial Arts Program.” Contact Program Chair, Mike Schneider for forms or questions at 410-693-8967, chayaandmiri@gmail.com. If students need financial assistance, contact Mrs. Isett (School Counselor) at 410-222-1655, CISETT@AACPS.org.

Our deepest sympathiesThe DES family has lost one of our own. DES parent, George Pavlidies passed away over the weekend after a courageous battle with Leukemia. His kind heart, smiling face, and unmatched sense of humor will be dearly missed by all who knew him. We send our most sincere condolences to his wife Ann and daughter Grace.

Public Service Announcements:

Jingle All The Way!One of our DES students will be participating in the Talent Machine’s Holiday show, “Jingle All The Way” this year. The Talent Machine is a non-profit organization performing Children’s Theater in Annapolis. There will be several performances at St. John’s College and Breakfast shows as well. The details for the show and a flier can be viewed on their website at: http://talentmachine.com/shows/holiday-show/.

Permanent link to this article: http://despto.org/gator-blast-archive-dec-2017/